Means for securing ships&#39; hatch-coverings.



J. L. GORDON.

MEANS FOR SECURING SHIPS HATCH COVERINGS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24.19I6.

Patented May 22, 1917.

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JOSEPH LUN'I GORDON, 0F LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

MEANS FOR SECURING SHIP-S I-IATCH-COVERINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 22, 1917.

Application filed April 24, 1916. Serial No. 93,344.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrrr LUNT GORDON, of 15 Fenwick street, Liverpool, England, merchant, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Securing Ships Hatch-Coverings, of which the following is a specification.

The present methods for securing tarpaulin or the like flexible coverings of ships hatches, consists generally in providing the hatch coamings with a series of cleats, in which the edges of the tarpaulin or the like are gripped by a series of independent wedges. Such a covering has been found to be insecure, and in heavy weather the wedges are liable to be displaced, and the hatch covering to get adrift. Further, owing to the wedge grips being separate, the covering is v apt to be unevenly strained, and is only locally held in places around its edges. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple type of attachment which will insure a continuous and even engagement of the edges of the flexible cover, and will be of such a nature that when once looked it cannot become freed, unless by a positive operation of the gear.

According to this invention, longitudinal movable elements are provided along each of the four sides of the hatch coamings, and the hatch coamings are provided with overhanging flanges or like fixed ledge abutments with which the movable longitudinal elements are adapted to be brought into engagement by a combined vertical and horizontal movement, thus gripping the edges of the flexible cover throughout their entire length.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1. is a plan view of a hatch coaming fitted with the improved attachment, Fig. 2. being an elevation, partly in section, of the hatch coaming shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3. is a cross section through one side of the hatch coaming, showing the longitudinal bar element in engagement with the flanged top of the hatch coaming and gripping the tarpaulin or flexible covering therein, and Fig. 4. is a cross section, analogous to Fig. 3. but showing the longitudinal bar element in its lowered position. Fig. 5. is a fragmentary section showing a modified arrangement of the hatch battens.

In the preferred form of the invention, which is shown in the drawings, the hatch coaming 1 is provided with a channel flanged top 2 which may be joggled over from the plate of the coaming itself, or may consist of a channel iron riveted to the top of the coaming. The former method is preferred, as this gives a better clearance for the longitudinal bar element 3. The bar element 3 is caused to move toward the overhanging flange 2 01- abutment with a true vertical movement. This is effected by providing the bar element with projections 4 carried in any suitable manner from the bar and slidably guided within yokes or strap pieces 5. Or the projections 4 may be slotted and engage pins, studs, or guide blocks on the coaming. The bar element 3 is preferably formed of angle iron as shown, but may be of any desired section. In the depending web of the movable angle bar 3 is formed a number of slots 6 which are engaged by pins 7 on links 8, pivoted at 9 to the coaming. The outer ends of the pins 7 are pivotally connected to a coupling rod 10 which connects the links after the manner of a parallel ruler and insures synchronous movement. Four such bar elements 3 and coupling rods 10 with their series of links and guide projections are disposed around all four sides of the hatch coaming. Each coupling rod is fitted at one end with a threaded nut 11 engaged by a screw 12 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing block 13 and fixed against axial movement therein by collars or the like 1 1. The bearing block is integral with the bar element 3 and rises and falls therewith. The end of the screw is fitted with a pinion 15 engaged by a second pinion 15 j ournaled in the same bearing block 13 the pinion 15 being square socketed to receive a handle 16 by which it is operated. As the screw is rotated in one or other direction by the handle the nut 11 is caused to approach or recede from the bearing block 13 which remains fixed as regards lateral movement. The endwise movement of the bar element due to the rotation of the screw 12 causes the links 8 to swing downward, and by reason of their pins 7 engaging the slots 6 of the bar element 3, the latter also is depressed but owing to the projections 4; engaging the guide straps 5 its movement is simply a vertical one. By reversing the handle the bar element may be caused to move into engagement with the flanged top 2, and if the edge of the flexible tarpaulin cover 16 of the hatch be turned under the flanged top and over the table of the bar element as shown in Fig. 3, then as the bar rises vertically the edge of the tarpaulin will be eflectively gripped. Each of the four sides of the hatch cover may thus be secured. By mitering the ends of the bar elements where they abut at the corners, the

gripping action is made continuous all.

around the coaming, and by providing a screw mechanism for operating the bar element 3, the latter when once tightened up in position cannot be displaced without the screw 12 being again positively operated. Instead of operating the bar elements 3 separately as described, the screws 12 of adjoining bar elements may be connected by bevel gear wheels, the one handle thus simultaneously controlling the action of the two bar elements.

The upper faces of the bars 3 may be made curved or of V-section to grip the tarpaulin or other flexible cover 16 within a complementary shaped flange top on the coaming the embedding of the bar element into the coaming flanges, in such an arrangement, producing a straining or tightening eflect which is evenly distributed along the edge of the cover.

In the form shown in Figs. 3. and 4. the hatch battens 17 fit on to angle irons 17 secured to the hatch but in the modification illustrated in Fig. 5. angle irons 17 are riveted to the hatch batten 17 which projects over the channel flange 2 and, being well rounded at the end 17, enables the tarpaulin to be stretched tightly around the channel flange 2 without presenting any sharp corner against which it might be destroyed.

I claim, 7

1. Apparatus for securing ships hatch coverings comprising, in combination, a hatch coaming, a series of vertically movable bar elements extending around the hatch Copies of this patent may be'obtained for coaming, a series of links pivoted to the coaming and adapted to move the bar elements, movable rods coupling the links together, an overhanging flange or abutment on the coaming, a flexible cover, and screw mechanisms carried on the bar elements controlling the movement of the rods.

2. In an apparatus for securing ship hatches, a hatch coaming having a horizontally extending flange formed adjacent its upper end, clamping bars disposed under. the coaming, pivotal links for connecting the clamping bars to the hatch coaming, means for moving the clamping bars vertically, and means for preventing lateral movement of the clamping bars.

3. A securing device for securing flexible ship hatch coverings, a flanged hatch coaming, clamping bars having elongated slots, pivoted connecting links for connecting the clamping bars to the coaming, each link having a pin adapted to ride in the respective slots, means for operating the clamping bars, and means for causing said bars to move vertically into clamped engagement with the flange of the hatch coaming.

4. In a hatch covering securing means, in combination with a hatch coaming having a flange adjacent its upper end, clamping bars, pivotal links for connecting the clamping bars to the hatch coaming, means for operating the clamping bars, depending arms carried by the clamping bars, and means on the hatch coaming through which the arms pass for causing the clamping bars to move vertically when the clamping bars are operated.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH LUNT GORDON.

Witnesses:

A. J. DAVIES, NELLIE HURST.

five cents each,. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

